September 2013 Boston’s hometown VOL. 24 #9 journal of Irish culture. $1.50 Worldwide at All contents copyright © 2013 Boston Neighborhood News, Inc. bostonirish.com SEPTEMBER SOUNDS: THE CONCERT SCENE Heatons, McEvoy, Gaelic Storm top lineup By Sean Smith SpeciaL to the BiR Performances by Boston/New England acts Matt and Shannon Heaton, Lissa Schneckenburger and Annalivia, the return of popular Celtic rockers Gaelic Storm, and rare appearances by Connie Dover, Eleanor McEvoy, and The Wa- terboys highlight Irish/Celtic concerts in the Boston area this month. The Heatons’ “Back to School” concert on Sept. 17 in Harvard Square’s Club Passim combines, in typical fashion, traditional songs with whimsy. The Gaelic Storm performs at Boston’s Wilbur Theater on September 12. husband-and-wife duo will perform selections from their still-in-formation CD project, “Tell You in Earnest,” which Shannon describes as “all-dialogue bal- lads – narratives and stories that are each like a two-person play.” Playing on the beginning-of-school-year theme, the Heatons will add a pedagogical dimen- sion to the proceedings. “We’ll set it up like a classroom, with a school bell, school supplies and a whiteboard,” explains Shannon. “And each song will be used for a different subject, from math to English to driver’s ed, and we’ll figure out what we’ve all learned together.” There’s a more meaningful aspect to the show, though, she adds. “The folk tradition is so much bigger, so much older than us, and yet it remains relevant. We’re focusing on the notion that ballads can teach us some universal, enduring lessons, and we in turn can teach other in this community. A song like ‘The Cruel Salt Sea,’ for example, is basically a les- Singer-songwriter Eleanor McE- son in self-defense for women. voy, who recently released her “So in some ways the show will be a Matt and Shannon Heaton will hold their own version of “Back to School Night” 10th album, plays at The Burren bit tongue-in-cheek, but in a mindful, at Club Passim on September 17. Leo Hsu photo on September 15. (Continued on page 15) Looking at the All-Ireland Fleadh in a new light Jane By SuSan GedutiS LindSay Lumpur hotel. Abas, Malaysia’s Director of the Depart- Richard SpeciaL to the BiR KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, and ment of Curriculum and Arts, at a press is dancing While her Irish music colleagues were HONG KONG – In August, the Malay- conference luncheon at the International still coming down from the high of the sian Ministry of Education announced its College of Music. In informal conversa- again Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Derry Education Blueprint (2013-2025), a plan tion, he pondered one of his charges this August, the author and occasional built upon six attributes, one of which under this new plan. He wondered aloud, See Page 7 BIR contributor Susan Gedutis Lind- is national identity. Earlier in the week, “How can Malaysia establish formal say was drawing her own conclusions while in Malaysia on an educational/ performance and learning benchmarks about traditional music and innovation business visit with the Berklee College over a newspaper and coffee in a Kuala of Music, I sat beside Tuan Haji Zainudin (Continued on page 13) Stop paying big bank fees! Switch to Totally FREE Checking at Mt. Washington Bank and start saving today! Switch to Mt. 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Box 52, Readville, MA 02137-0052 www.aisling-gallery.com Tel: 617-364-4000 Fax: 617-364-3157 Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com September 2013 BOSTON IRISH REPORTER Page 3 Commentary Immigrants and citizenship: History gives us the real story By Rev. John mccaRthy generations would have made contemporary American and Sean JoSeph conRoy life unimaginable. The pain inflicted by Congressional iRiSh paStoRaL centRe of BoSton lethargy on families and businesses affects all of us, Hardships of the immigration system burden far now and will continue to do so in the future. too many in our community and undocumented im- As we return (hopefully) refreshed from summer and migrants are especially affected. Optimists by nature, Congress (with any luck) decides to end its yearlong hard-working in deed, and almost always supportive of recess, let the reality of the current situation become those in need, most immigrants reflect American ideals apparent. It’s time for the House of Representatives to to a tee. Those who are undocumented are no different take meaningful steps toward recognizing immigrant in their contribution to our country. populations as a vital part of our economy, shared his- Though they are a complement to our native work- tory, and long-term success. To continue to ignore this force, Congressional inaction has meant that these section of society and deny them equal footing under immigrant families will continue to work and live in the law will be a categorical mistake. Immigrants who legal limbo. It’s time to relate the positive intentions of pay fees, taxes owed, and a fine, while meeting certain immigrants long dead to the ones that are today forced conditions – like a clean legal record, for one – should be allowed a path to citizenship. Rev John McCarthy speaking on July 10 at a sparsely to live in the shadows. attended information session at St. Brendan’s Hall The high profile examples of successful immigrants Industries that rely on seasonal and high-tech work- that was sponsored by the Irish Lobby for Immigra- are countless, as are the number of jobs created by their ers alike have joined in the chorus calling for reform. tion Reform. innovative thinking. Immigrants started 25 percent Getting America back to business has made unlikely of the highest-growing companies between 1990 and partnerships between tech frontiersmen and Catholic While the Massachusetts delegation in Congress gen- 2005. All immigrants, like their native counterparts, bishops across the country. It’s clear that foreign ideas erally supports the efforts to improve our immigration also go on to pay taxes, win military honors, and further and individuals, when given the opportunity to be cul- system, they could be more vocal and collaborative with culture – helping to invest in our country’s vibrancy. tivated in the United States, can lead to the advance- GOP colleagues. Call their offices today and insist that If your ancestors had come to America and faced cur- ment of all within our borders. Never before have we they get back to work as bi-partisan legislators, help- rent immigration law, they would have been rendered so strongly neglected our immigrant past; we must face ing to create a bridge for the undocumented – today’s undocumented and ripe for exploitation, and the subse- this rejection as a great challenge to our societal and image of the American-immigrant story. quent loss of their work ethic, valuable ideas, and future economic fabric: troublesome, but able to be overcome. UMass Boston to honor Brett with dedicated chair; disability efforts cited UMass Boston has announced the of effective job matching and other creation of a chair in Disability and Work- resources, many — if not most — per- force Development that will be named in sons with disabilities are able to enter honor of Jim Brett, President and CEO of and remain in the workforce. For these the New England Council and a former people, employment provides a path member of the Massachusetts House of out of poverty, and more importantly, a Representatives, from Dorchester. way to develop self-worth, gain respect A longtime civic leader, and an ad- in the community, and contribute to the vocate for people with intellectual dis- economy. abilities, his board service includes the The Brett Chair will expand Massa- chairmanship of the President’s Commit- chusetts’s commitment to inclusion. It tee for People with Intellectual Disabili- will take advantage of the state’s unique ties and the Massachusetts Governor’s connections between industries, such as Commission on Intellectual Disabili- health care and technology, to facilitate ties.